BEREA, Ohio – Kickoffs have defined Josh Cribbs’ career in the NFL and made him an invaluable weapon for the Cleveland Browns.

So the thought of the league abolishing the exciting play irritates the return specialist.

“They need to call it a different league if they do that,” Cribbs said. “It’ll change the game drastically.”

This week, Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league’s competition committee will consider eliminating kickoffs in the offseason. In an effort to reduce head injuries and protect players, the league previously moved the kickoff from the 30 to 35-yard line to cut down on violent collisions.

Tampa Bay coach Greg Schiano has suggested that instead of kickoffs, teams would have the option of punting from the 30-yard line and going for a first down in a fourth-and-15 situation.

Goodell has called Schiano’s idea “interesting.”

Cribbs, who shares the league record (8) for kickoff return touchdowns with Seattle’s Leon Washington, can’t envision the game he has played since he was a kid not having kickoffs.

“That’s like taking the goal post out of the stadium, taking the whole post and uprooting it,” said Cribbs, sixth on the career kickoff yardage list. “Only play offense and defense, just like intramurals. Then play indoors and put flags in our pants.”

Fines roundup

Denver defensive end Von Miller was fined $25,000 for his hit below the knee of Tampa Bay quarterback Josh Freeman last week.

Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher was fined $21,000 for a horse-collar tackle on Seattle’s Leon Washington, his second fine in two weeks.

Green Bay’s Tramon Williams and Jacksonville’s Jason Babin were each fined $21,000 for helmet-to-helmet hits in their games last week.

Detroit defensive tackle Nick Fairley was fined $15,750 for his horse-collar tackle of Colts quarterback Andrew Luck.

Seattle defensive tackle Alan Branch was docked $7,875 for his late hit on Bears quarterback Jay Cutler.

Washington center Will Montgomery was fined $10,000 for kicking Giants defensive lineman Linval Joseph, who was docked $7,875 for unnecessary roughness.

San Francisco linebacker NaVorro Bowman also got fined $10,000 for kicking at a St. Louis Rams offensive lineman, while 49ers teammate Dashon Goldson has to pay $7,875 for a late hit on quarterback Sam Bradford.

Minnesota linebacker Jasper Brinkley was fined $7,875 for grabbing Green Bay wide receiver Randall Cobb by the facemask. Teammate Everson Griffen was fined $15,750 for his late hit on Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Around the league

Philadelphia quarterback Michael Vick and running back LeSean McCoy (concussions) will not play Sunday against Tampa Bay. … Tennessee middle linebacker Colin McCarthy (concussion) will miss Sunday’s game against the Colts. … Jacksonville ruled receiver Cecil Shorts (concussion) out for Sunday’s game against the Jets.